Chapter Two: In which Howl Finds a New Apprentice
When Sophie came in at around nine o'clock with dinner, she found Martha dozing. The dear girl had cried herself to sleep, still holding Michael's hand. This is all very sweet, Sophie thought as she put the tray of soup on Howl's bedside table. She took Michael's temperature and saw that he was recovering quite nicely. For a moment, an alien thought flitted through her mind.
I wish that would happen to me some day, having someone to love, that is.
Sophie shook the notion away, forgetting it in a flash. She was about to leave the room when Martha's figure stirred. Her youngest sister stretched and turned to her, a sad look on her fair face. Martha Hatter asked for details on Michael's sickness as Sophie dished out some of the warm tomato soup. She was happy to hear that Michael would be just fine.
'I am so glad the both of you were here! Michael will be awfully displeased to find that he shall have to lie in bed for a week.'
'Oh, I'm sure he'll cope, Martha. Shall you be staying here then?' prompted her oldest sister. Nodding, Martha finished her supper. They talked amiably for a while until Howl entered. He told them it was time for the girls to sleep. When Sophie retorted that they were not children and certainly do not need bossing around, he merely stated that he was older and it was his castle.
'You only have two choices really; go to bed or move out. What will it be then, dear Sophie?' he said wickedly. Martha laughed as her sister dragged her out of the chamber and down to her room. Sophie could see Howl smirking from the top of the stairs. Stupid prat, she muttered in her head.
The next morning, even before the rooster crowed, Sophie awoke with a jolt again. This time it wasn't streaming shining light since the curtains were drawn, but a voice shouting from upstairs. Martha too was awake by then and together they went to see what the fuss was all about.
It was Michael. He was conscious and raving mad. Apparently, Howl just told him what happened to him. Sophie wondered what the Wizard who always slept till half past noon was doing up before dawn. Strange things come prancing by more and more, she thought. She hastily returned to the current situation- Michael having a screaming match with Ingary's Royal Wizard. He did not notice Martha standing behind the door. Perhaps he was too busy glaring at Howl who seemed to be wearing pyjamas with trains on them?
'What are you trying to say, Howl? Do you actually expect to do your job without me?' he shouted hoarsely.
'My, hasn't someone gotten bigheaded lately? I assure you, I'll be just fantastic.' Howl said rolling his green-ish eyes. Sophie thought that if there was anyone who was bigheaded it was be Howl. What a drattedly conceited man he was!
'Really? And what shall happen when you go off gadding to Kingsbury to see that lovely Lizzie Hornberry? What if you decide to go back to your lady-chasing ways and leave your work behind again?' Michael continued, making a great point, in Sophie's opinion. Yes, where then would we be? 'Who shall make the spells? You cannot expect Sophie to do the magic, do you?' Sophie nodded her head in agreement then stopped when she realized what that meant.
'What are you trying to say, Michael Fisher? Am I not WORTHY of practising magic then? Am I useless, is that what you mean?' she fumed. She certainly wasn't going be a cleaning lady for the rest of her life! She was going to find her fortune as soon as she learned enough at the castle. 'I can do anything you can, Michael. I can damn well be a great magician, if I wanted!'
'Er, sorry, Sophie, that's not what I meant, I- just said- Argh... I hate you, Howl!' he stuttered back. Howl just raised a delicate eyebrow and smiled thoughtfully. Sophie felt angrier and glared at him.
'Right then, it's all settled. Sophie will take your position until you recover.' he told Michael calmly. Everyone else in the room looked shocked and stared at Howl like he was mad. Then again, he most probably was. Sophie, a witch? Said person seemed about to faint but put a brave show of confidence.
'Of course. Finally, Howl being remotely sensible.' Sophie remarked stonily then walked out into the hallway.
Everyone watched her retreating back go down the stairs before turning back to Howl. The sorcerer smirked and said he needed to go calm the savage beast, and Michael, don't be preachy. Someone has come to baby- sit you, a term which Michael protested to but stopped when he saw Martha approach the bed. Howl left the room, where there was no more yelling instead delirious smiling.
He cautiously went into the kitchen where Sophie probably was. And he was right, she was there dusting the dirt-free shelves laden with wizardly objects. Howl remarked in a sing-song tone, 'Well, well the return of Ms Manic-cleaning.' He expertly dodged the feather duster that was aimed at his face. 'Come now, Sophie. Working with me can't be all be that bad. Michael has survived three years of it.'
'That is only because he is such a good boy. I myself wonder how he lasted you and Calcifer.' She said, pointing to the fireplace where Calcifer was playing with conkers. There was silence and Howl wondered what she was thinking. He always thought Sophie was odd with her swiftly changing moods and mannerisms. He was about to speak when she beat him to it.
'Why did you do that?' she asked. 'Do what?' he intoned back. Sophie sighed and pointed out that he made her take Michael's position in the castle. 'Honestly,' she told him, 'I do not know anything about it.'
'You'll have to learn it all anyway. Not to worry, we'll probably have a slow week, seeing that Suliman is back.'
She remained quiet before asking who on earth would deal with the castle-keeping. To which Howl replied, 'I am sure Martha will do nicely if she has inherited your genes. Obsessive-compulsive, the lot of you.' When Howl saw that he had somehow made Sophie feel better, he casually sauntered out.
'And where might you be going, oh great Wizard Jenkins, bringer of headaches?' Sophie called out teasingly.
'Oh, to find a new guitar, can't do without one. I'll be back by lunch, apprentice.' he said before stepping out into the early day.
For the next three days, Howl taught Sophie the basics of magic. He was very interested in the way she performed the spells. She was so messy that the style was organized. Telling them what to do and how to work, she seemed to talk to the charms. Fascinated, Howl supposed it was some sort of as of now undiscovered enchantment or ability. He would have to go speak with the Chrestomanci.
One sultry afternoon, a messenger from the King of Ingary arrived, demanding to speak to the Wizard Pendragon. Sophie enjoyed listening to the flowery and lengthy speeches that were exchanged between them. After almost an hour, Howl slammed the door shut and sat in front of the fire. Sophie quietly enquired what was said, as she did not make much out of the courtly talk. He told her that the king had requested the creation of new war spells and force objects.
'Then make them. I don't understand the whole pother about it.' She said rather unwisely as Howl immediately flared up.
'I dare say there ought to be a flaming pother about it! If I do cast them, I shall officially be participating in another useless conflict, not to mention, cheating. War, my dear, is a horrible aspect and I'd doubt you would want it.' He exclaimed hotly.
'All right, all right. War is evil. So you aren't doing them.' There was no reply. Sophie faced him and waited for the answer. Howl became nervous and heated. 'I hated to but I did. What? The king practically threatened to have my head lopped off for treason!'
He saw Sophie stifle a grin and a laugh, thus becoming very annoyed. For the rest of the day, Howl was very hostile towards her. But Sophie dismissed it as normal Howl-ness, even when he tossed a slimy ball of purple mess at her. Inconceivably evil, that fellow, she thought exasperatedly. One minute he was an angel the next a devil with outrageously blond hair. Honestly!
Howl was still grouchy when the next morning, he told, no commanded, her that they were going out. Sophie looked up from her conversation with Martha and said, 'Pray tell, say why.' He only glared at her, and stalked up to give Michael his breakfast. Calcifer sizzled in the hearth.
'Pay him no mind, ladies. Something is up, I know his heart well.' The fire demon cackled with a sly glint in his eye. Martha told her sister not to worry and that she would clean the castle today. Sophie tiredly went off to wait in the garden yard, trying to guess what Howl was going to do this time. Moments later, a window was yanked open and Howl's perfect head popped out.
'What are you doing there, you daft girl? We're not staying in this world, today it's Wales!'
When Sophie came in at around nine o'clock with dinner, she found Martha dozing. The dear girl had cried herself to sleep, still holding Michael's hand. This is all very sweet, Sophie thought as she put the tray of soup on Howl's bedside table. She took Michael's temperature and saw that he was recovering quite nicely. For a moment, an alien thought flitted through her mind.
I wish that would happen to me some day, having someone to love, that is.
Sophie shook the notion away, forgetting it in a flash. She was about to leave the room when Martha's figure stirred. Her youngest sister stretched and turned to her, a sad look on her fair face. Martha Hatter asked for details on Michael's sickness as Sophie dished out some of the warm tomato soup. She was happy to hear that Michael would be just fine.
'I am so glad the both of you were here! Michael will be awfully displeased to find that he shall have to lie in bed for a week.'
'Oh, I'm sure he'll cope, Martha. Shall you be staying here then?' prompted her oldest sister. Nodding, Martha finished her supper. They talked amiably for a while until Howl entered. He told them it was time for the girls to sleep. When Sophie retorted that they were not children and certainly do not need bossing around, he merely stated that he was older and it was his castle.
'You only have two choices really; go to bed or move out. What will it be then, dear Sophie?' he said wickedly. Martha laughed as her sister dragged her out of the chamber and down to her room. Sophie could see Howl smirking from the top of the stairs. Stupid prat, she muttered in her head.
The next morning, even before the rooster crowed, Sophie awoke with a jolt again. This time it wasn't streaming shining light since the curtains were drawn, but a voice shouting from upstairs. Martha too was awake by then and together they went to see what the fuss was all about.
It was Michael. He was conscious and raving mad. Apparently, Howl just told him what happened to him. Sophie wondered what the Wizard who always slept till half past noon was doing up before dawn. Strange things come prancing by more and more, she thought. She hastily returned to the current situation- Michael having a screaming match with Ingary's Royal Wizard. He did not notice Martha standing behind the door. Perhaps he was too busy glaring at Howl who seemed to be wearing pyjamas with trains on them?
'What are you trying to say, Howl? Do you actually expect to do your job without me?' he shouted hoarsely.
'My, hasn't someone gotten bigheaded lately? I assure you, I'll be just fantastic.' Howl said rolling his green-ish eyes. Sophie thought that if there was anyone who was bigheaded it was be Howl. What a drattedly conceited man he was!
'Really? And what shall happen when you go off gadding to Kingsbury to see that lovely Lizzie Hornberry? What if you decide to go back to your lady-chasing ways and leave your work behind again?' Michael continued, making a great point, in Sophie's opinion. Yes, where then would we be? 'Who shall make the spells? You cannot expect Sophie to do the magic, do you?' Sophie nodded her head in agreement then stopped when she realized what that meant.
'What are you trying to say, Michael Fisher? Am I not WORTHY of practising magic then? Am I useless, is that what you mean?' she fumed. She certainly wasn't going be a cleaning lady for the rest of her life! She was going to find her fortune as soon as she learned enough at the castle. 'I can do anything you can, Michael. I can damn well be a great magician, if I wanted!'
'Er, sorry, Sophie, that's not what I meant, I- just said- Argh... I hate you, Howl!' he stuttered back. Howl just raised a delicate eyebrow and smiled thoughtfully. Sophie felt angrier and glared at him.
'Right then, it's all settled. Sophie will take your position until you recover.' he told Michael calmly. Everyone else in the room looked shocked and stared at Howl like he was mad. Then again, he most probably was. Sophie, a witch? Said person seemed about to faint but put a brave show of confidence.
'Of course. Finally, Howl being remotely sensible.' Sophie remarked stonily then walked out into the hallway.
Everyone watched her retreating back go down the stairs before turning back to Howl. The sorcerer smirked and said he needed to go calm the savage beast, and Michael, don't be preachy. Someone has come to baby- sit you, a term which Michael protested to but stopped when he saw Martha approach the bed. Howl left the room, where there was no more yelling instead delirious smiling.
He cautiously went into the kitchen where Sophie probably was. And he was right, she was there dusting the dirt-free shelves laden with wizardly objects. Howl remarked in a sing-song tone, 'Well, well the return of Ms Manic-cleaning.' He expertly dodged the feather duster that was aimed at his face. 'Come now, Sophie. Working with me can't be all be that bad. Michael has survived three years of it.'
'That is only because he is such a good boy. I myself wonder how he lasted you and Calcifer.' She said, pointing to the fireplace where Calcifer was playing with conkers. There was silence and Howl wondered what she was thinking. He always thought Sophie was odd with her swiftly changing moods and mannerisms. He was about to speak when she beat him to it.
'Why did you do that?' she asked. 'Do what?' he intoned back. Sophie sighed and pointed out that he made her take Michael's position in the castle. 'Honestly,' she told him, 'I do not know anything about it.'
'You'll have to learn it all anyway. Not to worry, we'll probably have a slow week, seeing that Suliman is back.'
She remained quiet before asking who on earth would deal with the castle-keeping. To which Howl replied, 'I am sure Martha will do nicely if she has inherited your genes. Obsessive-compulsive, the lot of you.' When Howl saw that he had somehow made Sophie feel better, he casually sauntered out.
'And where might you be going, oh great Wizard Jenkins, bringer of headaches?' Sophie called out teasingly.
'Oh, to find a new guitar, can't do without one. I'll be back by lunch, apprentice.' he said before stepping out into the early day.
For the next three days, Howl taught Sophie the basics of magic. He was very interested in the way she performed the spells. She was so messy that the style was organized. Telling them what to do and how to work, she seemed to talk to the charms. Fascinated, Howl supposed it was some sort of as of now undiscovered enchantment or ability. He would have to go speak with the Chrestomanci.
One sultry afternoon, a messenger from the King of Ingary arrived, demanding to speak to the Wizard Pendragon. Sophie enjoyed listening to the flowery and lengthy speeches that were exchanged between them. After almost an hour, Howl slammed the door shut and sat in front of the fire. Sophie quietly enquired what was said, as she did not make much out of the courtly talk. He told her that the king had requested the creation of new war spells and force objects.
'Then make them. I don't understand the whole pother about it.' She said rather unwisely as Howl immediately flared up.
'I dare say there ought to be a flaming pother about it! If I do cast them, I shall officially be participating in another useless conflict, not to mention, cheating. War, my dear, is a horrible aspect and I'd doubt you would want it.' He exclaimed hotly.
'All right, all right. War is evil. So you aren't doing them.' There was no reply. Sophie faced him and waited for the answer. Howl became nervous and heated. 'I hated to but I did. What? The king practically threatened to have my head lopped off for treason!'
He saw Sophie stifle a grin and a laugh, thus becoming very annoyed. For the rest of the day, Howl was very hostile towards her. But Sophie dismissed it as normal Howl-ness, even when he tossed a slimy ball of purple mess at her. Inconceivably evil, that fellow, she thought exasperatedly. One minute he was an angel the next a devil with outrageously blond hair. Honestly!
Howl was still grouchy when the next morning, he told, no commanded, her that they were going out. Sophie looked up from her conversation with Martha and said, 'Pray tell, say why.' He only glared at her, and stalked up to give Michael his breakfast. Calcifer sizzled in the hearth.
'Pay him no mind, ladies. Something is up, I know his heart well.' The fire demon cackled with a sly glint in his eye. Martha told her sister not to worry and that she would clean the castle today. Sophie tiredly went off to wait in the garden yard, trying to guess what Howl was going to do this time. Moments later, a window was yanked open and Howl's perfect head popped out.
'What are you doing there, you daft girl? We're not staying in this world, today it's Wales!'